3.0- California &
2.0 - HawaiiUsing the 'Winter' Scale(See Swell Category Table link at bottom of page)Probability for presence of largest swells in near-shore waters of NCal, SCal or Hawaii.

Issued for Week of Monday 11/15 thru Sun 11/21

Swell Potential Rating Categories

5 = Good probability for 3 or more days of Significant swell4 = Good probability for 1-2 days of Significant swell3 = Good probability for 3 or more days of Intermediate/Advanced swell2 = Good probability for 1-2 days of Intermediate/Advanced swell1 = Good probability for 3 or more days of Impulse or Windswell0 = Low probability for 1-2 days of Impulse or Windswell

Significant:Winter - Swell 8 ft @ 14 secs or greater (11+ ft faces) for 8+ hours (greater than double overhead).
Summer - Head high or better. Advanced:Winter - Swell and period combination capable of generating faces 1.5 times overhead to double overhead (7-10 ft) Summer - Chest to head high.Intermediate/Utility Class:Winter - Swell and period combination generating faces at head high to 1.5 times overhead (4-7 ft).
Summer - Waist to chest high. Impulse/Windswell:Winter - Swell and period combination generating faces up to head high (1-4 ft) or anything with a period less than 11 secs.
Summer - up to waist high swell. Also called 'Background' swell.

Surf Heights for Hawaii should be consider 'Hawaiian Scale' if period exceeds 14 secs.

PACIFIC OVERVIEWCurrent ConditionsOn Thursday (11/19) in North and Central CA windswell from off the Pacific Northwest was producing surf in the chest to head high range and clean but soft. Down in Santa Cruz surf was flat and clean. In Southern California up north surf was waist to chest high and lined up and clean. Down south waves were maybe waist high and clean but weak and inconsistent. Hawaii's North Shore was head high to 2 ft overhead on the sets and clean and lined up. The South Shore was near flat and clean. The East Shore was getting tradewind generated easterly windswell and wrap around northwest swell with waves 2 ft overhead and chopped by trades.

See QuikCASTs for the 5 day surf overview or read below for the detailed view.

Meteorological Overview For the North Pacific residual swell from a gale previously north of Hawaii was fading in the Islands. And windswell from a gale previously off the Pacific Northwest was all but gone relative to California. No other swell was being generated or in the water aimed at either Hawaii or California.

Looking at the forecast charts a small gale is to track through the Northwestern Gulf on Fri-Sat (11/21) generating 22-24 ft seas aimed mainly at Canada. Odds low for any swell to result from this one. But then a small but stronger gale is to develop off Kamchatka on Sun (11/22) producing a tiny area of 32 ft seas aimed east offering small swell for all. And then a local system is to fall down the immediate Pacific Northwest Coast generating 24-26 ft seas on Tues-Wed (11/25) offering some north angled energy for California. Beyond there's suggestions of an extratropical storm developing over the dateline and tracking into the Western Gulf with 50+ ft seas. That's a fantasy at this early date but worth monitoring.

SHORT- TERM FORECASTCurrent marine weather and wave analysis.cgius forecast conditions for the next 72 hours

NorthPacific

OverviewJetstreamOn Thursday AM (11/19) the jet was trying to consolidate over Japan with winds 150 kts in one pocket there easing off the coast then instantly .cgiitting with the northern branch tracking northeast over the intersection of the dateline and the Aleutians with a pocket of 160 kt winds there then fading some and continuing northeast up into Alaska while the southern branch dipped south down to 20N over the dateline then passing just north of Hawaii and pushing northeast and running over the Pacific Northwest but not before .cgiitting again. In all there was no support for gale development by the jet in lower levels of the atmosphere. Over the next 72 hours the dateline wind pocket is to track east over the Eastern Aleutians then into the extreme Northern Gulf of Alaska on Friday (11/20) and falling south some on Saturday perhaps providing limited support for gale development there. By late Sat (11/21) the .cgiit point off Japan is to start easing east reaching to 170E, almost to the dateline. Beyond 72 hours a trough is to start forming aided by the non-.cgiit portion of the jet off Kamchatka and making steady eastward progress with winds building to 190 kts on Mon (11/23) reaching almost to the dateline. Good support for gale development possible. That trough is to continue making limited eastward progress late Tues (11/24) to the dateline but almost getting pinched off, with winds in the consolidated portion of the jet to 210 kts. A huge .cgiit is to be east of there with the north branch pushing well up into Alaska, the falling hard south down the British Columbia Coast forming a backdoor trough with it's apex just 150 nmiles off Washington. That trough is to fall south to a point over the North Ca coast on Thurs (11/26) offering support for gale development and also weather production. At that time back to the west the jet is to be getting infused with more energy and is to remain consolidated with 140 kts winds streaming east-northeast off Japan building to 180 kts over the dateline and falling into the pinched trough now repositioned east in the Western Gulf. Good support for gale development there too. From there all the jets energy is to be pushing into Central and South California, focused at 35N. This is starting to look like an El Nino pattern.

Surface Analysis On Thurs AM (11/19) residual swell from a gale previously north of Hawaii was hitting the Islands, but fading. Also windswell from a weak gale previously off the Pacific Northwest was hitting North and Central CA, but also fading. No other swell was in the water. A gale low was circulating in the Bering Sea but landlocked by the Aleutian Islands. Also low pressure was trying to develop while tracking east off Japan.

Over the next 72 hours that low pressure system is to race from Japan to the Western Gulf on Fri AM (11/20) just south of the Eastern Aleutians producing 40 kt southwest winds and seas building to 24 ft at 47N 175W. The jetstream is to be pushing this one fast to the east. By evening 35 kt southwest winds are forecast clear of the Eastern Aleutians generating 23 ft seas at 52N 162W (310 degs NCal) and targeting mainly the Pacific Northwest and points north of there. 45 kts west winds to build Sat AM (11/21) tucked up in the extreme Northern Gulf generating 24 ft seas at 57N 148W targeting mainly north Canada and outside the North CA swell window. Maybe some sideband swell to result for North CA late Mon into Tues AM (11/24) but mainly targeting the Pacific Northwest.

A broad area of low pressure is forecast developing off North Japan Sat AM (11/21) generating 35 kts west fetch. By evening better organization is forecast producing 40 kt southwest winds off the Southern Kuril Islands aimed northeast and seas to 22 ft over a small area at 47N 168E. 50 kt northwest winds are to be lifting slowly northeast Sun AM (11/22) producing 24 ft seas at 50N 168E aimed southeast. The gale is to be moving into the Bering Sea in the evening with 45-50 kt northwest fetch south of the Aleutians generating 34 ft seas at 51N 176E aimed east. By Monday AM (11/23) the gale is to be fully in the Bering Sea with fading 30 kt northwest fetch just shy of the Western Aleutians producing 24 ft seas at 51N 180W. This system to fade after that. If all goes a forecast some small swell could result for Hawaii and the US West Coast.

Tropical UpdateTyphoon 27W on Thurs AM (11/17) was developing 450 nmiles southeast of Guam with winds 65 kts tracking west-northwest. This track is to hold with steady strengthening forecast with this system peaking at 110 kts on Sun AM (11/22) 750 nmiles east of the Central Philippines. From there this system is to turn north and northeast by Tues AM (11/24) positioned 700 nmiles south-southeast of Southern Japan with winds down to 65 kts. The GFS model has this system rapidly building and turning extratropical while tracking over the dateline Thurs (11/26) with winds to 65 kts and seas to 58 ft at 45N 175W. That seems like a bit of a reach but is well worth monitoring. And this speaks to a potential return of the El Nino base state generated westerly anomalies in the Kelvin Wave Generation Area.

Tropical Storm 21E formed off mainland Mexico on Thurs AM (11/17) producing 35 kts sustained winds. This system is forecast to build slightly while tracking west-northwest with winds peaking at 50 kts on Fri AM (11/20) 400 nmiles south-southeast of Cab San Lucas Mexico. A slow fade is to settle in after that with this system continuing on a northwesterly track dissipating southeast of Cab San Lucas. No swell of interest is forecast relative to Southern CA. This again speaks to the propensity for the North Pacific to again support tropical development and a possible end to the Inactive Phase of the MJO.

California Nearshore Forecast
On Thurs AM (11/19) high pressure at 1028 mbs was 600 nmiles west of Central CA ridging northeast into North CA. North winds at 20 kts were over outer waters of all of Central CA and partially up into North CA though nearshore lighter winds were in control early. More of the same is forecast on Friday (11/20). By Sat (11/22) the high is to start fading out with north winds 15 kts early over outer waters and much less nearshore, and fading to calm by Sunday. More of the same is forecast Monday while a backdoor front builds to the north, quickly sweeping south on Tues AM (11/24) with northwest winds 20-25 kts for all of North and Central CA by mid-morning behind the front and sweeping into Southern CA in the evening. Rain expected for Pt Conception northward the bulk of the day with perhaps solid snow for the Sierra holding over night and light snow through the day Wednesday. North winds to continue Wed (11/25) but down to 10 kts for most of Central CA later though still 20 kts over all of Southern CA through the day. Clearing conditions and light winds forecast on Thursday for all of CA.

SouthPacific

OverviewSurface Analysis
No swell producing weather systems were occurring in the South Pacific.

Over the next 72 hours no swell producing fetch of interest is forecast.

LONG-TERM FORECASTMarine weather and forecast conditions 3-10 days into the future

NorthPacific

Beyond 72 hours a small high pressure system at 1040 mbs is to be in the Northern Gulf on Mon (11/23) generating a gradient with weak low pressure developing over the Pacific Northwest generating 30 kt north winds falling south off the Oregon Coast and producing seas to 22 ft at 47N 132W. This fetch is to hold while falling south in the evening with seas building to 26 ft at 44N 131W on the 319 degs path to North and Central California. 30+ kt north winds are to be off Washington and North CA on Tues AM (11/24) with 23 ft seas at 38N 129W (292 degs NCal) aimed south. A quick fade to follow. Something to monitor though this is to be more of a weather and snow producer in higher elevations for CA than anything.

Another gale is forecast forming in the Western Gulf on Wed (11/25) generating 40-45 kt northwest winds and up to 29 ft seas at 48N 161W. Small swell possible for Hawaii and the US West Coast.

And the tropical system well southeast of Japan is forecast to recuve northeast and track over the dateline turning extratropical while tapping jetstream energy. See details in the Tropical Update (above).

The Madden Julian Oscillation is a periodic weather cycle that tracks east along the equator circumnavigating the globe. It is characterized in it's Inactive Phase by enhanced trade winds and dry weather over the part of the equatorial Pacific it is in control of, and in it's Active Phase by slack if not an outright reversal of trade winds and enhanced precipitation. The oscillation occurs in roughly 20-30 day cycles (Inactive for 20-30 days, then Active for 20-30 days) over any single location on the.cgianet, though most noticeable in the Pacific. During the Active Phase in the Pacific the MJO tends to support the formation of stronger and longer lasting gales resulting in enhanced potential for the formation of swell producing storms. Prolonged and consecutive Active MJO Phases help support the formation of El Nino. During the Inactive Phase the jet stream tends to .cgiit resulting in high pressure and less potential for swell producing storm development. The paragraphs below analyze the state of the MJO in the Pacific and provide forecasts for MJO activity (which directly relate to the potential for swell production).E.cgianation of data layout below:Major sections are organized in cause-and-effect sequence starting with wind conditions/forecasts for the Kelvin Wave Generation Area (KWGA - equatorial West Pacific) followed by subsurface ocean temperature conditions (i.e. monitoring for Kelvin Waves), then ocean surface temperature conditions (i.e Nino 1.2 and 3.4) followed by atmospheric co.cgiing analysis. The 1st paragraph in each section is new/recent data and is typically updated with each new forecast. The 2nd paragraph, where present, provides analysis and context and is updated as required.

Overview: A strong El Nino is developing. It began its lifecycle in late 2013 as a primer WWB and Kelvin Wave developed. Then in early 2014 a historically strong push by the Active Phase of the MJO resulted in a large Kelvin Wave, and anomalies continued in the Spring into early Summer transporting more warm water eastward. But the cycle faltered in July due to a protracted bout of the Inactive Phase of the MJO which enabled the upwelling phase of the Kelvin Wave cycle to manifest driving cooler water east, muting warm water buildup along the Ecuador coast. Still the warm water pipe remained open, but surface temperatures near the Galapagos never recovered and any atmospheric momentum was lost. Then in early 2015, another historically strong push from the MJO occurred, effectively a repeat of the early 2014 event, invigorating the warm water transport process and, adding more heat to an already anomalously warm surface pool off Ecuador. That pool has been building steadily in spurts ever since. The paragraphs below describe the current status of various El Nino indicators, followed by a few paragraphs that tie all the pieces together and provide our analysis of what is to come.

KWGA/Equatorial Surface Wind Analysis & Short-term Forecast:Analysis from TAO Buoys:As of Wed (11/18) down at the surface, the TOA array (hard sensors reporting with a 24 hr lag) indicated modest west winds in the Kevin Wave generation Area (KWGA) near 165E with light winds elsewhere. Inspecting the 00hr frame from the GFS model, west winds were at 140E in one pocket to 16 kts and 9 kts building to 17 kts near 150E associated with Typhoon 27W (existing the area to the north) with light winds over the bulk of the KWGA. Anomalies were rebuilding and modest from the west at 165E and again at 150W (sensors were down at the surface at 160W). These west anomalies are rebuilding a little traction after the loss of west anomalies from 10/31-11/9. Previously strong WWB #3 associated with a robust Active Phase of the MJO (historically strong) occurred 6/24-7/17 and was followed by solid west anomalies for a 29 day window (7/19-8/19), or nearly 2 months of west anomalies or stronger. Then starting 9/2, strong west anomalies redeveloped with patches of westerly winds embedded holding to 9/17, then intensified again on 10/1 creating WWB #4 holding to 10/18 and was comparable to the previous one in late June-early July, but lasting 6 weeks instead of 8. 1 Week Forecast: The CFS model indicates very light west anomalies forecast in the KWGA from 160E and east of there to the Galapagos for the next week through Thurs (11/26) and stronger from the dateline and points east of there starting 11/21. Actual winds per the GFS model are to be light over the bulk of KWGA through Wed (11/25) then building from the northwest near 175E in association with a tropical system building south of the KWGA on Thurs (11/26). So far no east anomalies have occurred this year in the KWGA, not one day, and none are forecast. The thought is west anomalies have been pushing warm water from the West Pacific to depth and those waters have migrated into the semi permanent reservoir already present west of the Galapagos. But the volume and velocity of that warm water migration faded significantly at the end of WWB #4 between 10/19-10/30. By 10/31 the Inactive Phase of the MJO appeared with west anomalies dead. This slackening of the anomalies will likely usher in the Upwelling Phase of the Kelvin Wave Cycle after Kelvin Wave #4 terminates its eventual eruption in the vicinity of the Galapagos starting 2.5 months later or near 1/15/16.

A huge WWB occurred in March followed by a second smaller one (9 day duration) in early May with weaker but still solid west anomalies continuing after that through 6/10. Anomalies faded to neutral for 8 days through 6/18 as the Inactive Phase of the MJO interfered with the pattern (the first such event of the year), then weak westerlies started again on 6/18. A significant WWB (#3), the strongest of the year, started on 6/26 peaking near 7/4 then held nicely through 7/17 (22 days), the result of a historically strong Active Phase of the MJO which produced a strong and large Kelvin Wave #3, the third this year and the strongest by far. Moderate westerly anomalies redeveloped 7/29 when a Rossby Wave started interacting with the building El Nino base state, enhancing the westerly flow, developing a mini-WWB at 175E through 8/5. And westerly anomalies continued through 8/19. That is nearly 2 months of non-stop anomalies if not out and out west winds (6/26-8/19). From 8/19-8/25 lesser westerly anomalies occurred and those were mainly east of the KWGA, with dead neutral anomalies in the West KWGA. West anomalies started rebuilding on 8/26 and turned to legit west winds up at 9N on 9/3 and held in some fashion up there into 9/29 while calm winds held in the KWGA proper. And then strong west winds redeveloped in the Northeast KWGA on 10/1 and held through 10/18, resulting in a yet another defined WWB event (#4) rivaling WWB #3 in June-July. And another small WWB started further east on 10/22 through 10/30. But by 10/30 the Inactive Phase of the MJO Cycle caused neutral winds to develop in the KWGA and east anomalies reaching to 150E. West wind anomalies at the surface are the hallmark of the Active Phase of the MJO and El Nino and drive Kelvin Wave production.

On left the massive WWB in late June/July that created large Kelvin Wave #3. On right the current WWB that is generating Kelvin Wave #4.
Scales are a little different but notice anomalies in the July event at 12-14 m/s est (24-28 kts) and now in Oct at 13-14 m/s (26-28 kts)
(Click to Enlarge Images)

Longer Range MJO/WWB Projections:OLR Models: As of Thurs (11/19) a moderate Inactive MJO signal was over the far West equatorial Pacific reaching to the dateline. The Dynamic model forecasts it locked in this position but steadily weakening for the next 15 days and retracting west from the dateline area, very much similar to the configuration it was in prior to the Inactive Phase of the MJO taking over. The Statistic model has it fading and easing east with a solid Active MJO Pattern over the Central Indian Ocean moving into the West Pacific 15 days out. We're not at all confident that is going to occur, so we're siding with the Dynamic model. The assumption is that west anomalies will start rebuild driven by the El Nino base state as the Inactive Phase of the MJO fades out and halts it destructive interference with El Nino in the next week or two. Phase Diagrams 2 week forecast (ECMF and GEFS): Both models indicate some form of 'MJO-like' active signal is fading in the Central Indian Ocean and is expected to make no eastward progress and is to totally dissipate 1.5 weeks from now (11/30). This is generally consistent with the OLR models above. This leads us to believe that perhaps whatever Inactive MJO signal was trying to dominate the Pacific, could start beginning to decline with the more typical El Nino base state begriming to re-emerge by the end of the month. 40 Day Upper Level Model:This model depicts a very weak signal with no significant change forecast for the next 40 days. A typical El nino pattern is forecast. CFS Model beyond 1 week (850 mb wind):An Inactive MJO is starting to loose control over the dateline region and is to track east and effectively gone by 12/4, consistent with the models above. West anomalies are to start rebuilding Nov 25 weakly enhanced by a Rossby Wave that is starting to pass through this region and is to continue into 12/13 having a slightly positive effect on west wind anomaly production. By 12/15 the Active Phase of the MJO is to be in control of the dateline and a bit east of there and westerly anomalies redeveloping stronger in the West KWGA to the dateline. After that, the Active Phase of the MJO is to hold into Jan 13 with a possible westerly wind burst developing around Jan1 mainly from the dateline eastward till Jan 21. It is obvious that the MJO is not dead, regardless of theories which suggest it should be during strong El Ninos. So it makes sense that the Active Phase at some point should return. Still, the El Nino base state should be the primary driver of Westerly Anomalies from here forward. No easterly anomalies are forecast. We are now supposedly in the core of the El Nino cycle (Oct-Dec), but the westerly anomaly pattern is weak given the Inactive Phase. That is expected to change shortly. The core of westerly anomalies are already easing east, and are to continue to do so into the early Jan timeframe, when they are expected to push to 165W and out of the the KWGA. This would shut down the warm water conveyor, with the warm pool in the east starting to decay after draining all the warm water present in what is now a massive reservoir. That is typical timing for an El Nino from a gross level perspective. A more detailed timing estimate is provided below.

Subsurface Waters TempsTAO Array: (11/19) Actual temperatures remain impressive but are getting confused by sensor outages now in the East Pacific. The data is almost worthless. Still there is suggestion of 30 deg temps at depth at 150W with the 28 deg isotherm line at 120W and steady. There are almost no active sensors left between 125W and 170W except a few at depth. Anomaly wise +2 deg anomalies are from the dateline eastward. +4 deg anomalies are from 156W eastward. +6 degs anomalies are from 143W eastward with a core at +7-8 degs starting at 136W and points east of there. Per the hi-res GODAS animation posted 11/14 the reservoir is in great shape with warm water still flowing into it from near the dateline and a large core of +6 deg anomalies in it's heart from 100W-140W. This is a great scenario. Warm water also appears to continue erupting west of the Galapagos primarily at +3 degs from 160W to 100W (steady) with one +4 degs tentacle of warm water extend to the surface at 105W. Sea Surface Height Anomalies (SSHA): (11/14) Heights have bounced back, holding at ridiculous high levels. 0-+5 cm anomalies are over the entire equatorial Pacific starting at 175W (fading some). Peak anomalies at +20 cm are between 109W and 140W. +15 cm anomalies extending from 90W to 155W and reaching from 5N to 5S (steady). +5 cm anomalies are pushing to Ecuador and reach the coast. +10 cm anomalies have made a little progress east of the Galapagos now (evidence of the westward di.cgiacement of this El Nino event). All this is indicative of a wide open pipe with a large Kelvin Wave in flight. This is a classic major El Nino setup.Upper Ocean Heat Content: (11/14) is steady at very impressive levels (daily updates to the 5 day product) indicating +0.5-1.0 deg anomalies are shrinking from 161W to the Galapagos (easing east). +1.0-1.5 degs anomalies are easing east from 155W eastward attributable to WWB #4 and the formation of Kelvin Wave #4. +1.5 deg anomalies are easing east from 153W and points east. A large pocket of +2.0 deg anomalies easing east from 150W-->94W. And +2.5 deg anomalies remain present and are easing east between 142W->104W beating anything in Kelvin Wave #3 (with a 40 deg/2,400 nmile width). 1.5-2.0 anomalies continue not pushing into Ecuador (only 1.0-1.5 degs anomalies). The Downwelling Phase of Kelvin Wave #4 is underway in the east while di.cgiaced to the west, preventing extreme heating between the Galapagos and Ecuador. So this El Nino remains slightly westward di.cgiaced. The Upwelling Phase of the Kelvin Wave cycle is also evident just east of the dateline in the eastward retreat of of all temperature bands, the result of the Inactive Phase of the MJO cycle which started 10/31 and continues to date.

A strong Kelvin Wave impacted the Ecuador Coast in May-June with a second somewhat weaker one impacting it in June. The third and strongest so far is erupting, but somewhat westward di.cgiaced just west of the Galapagos and not as overtly strong as one would expect, being rather a steady bleed rather than a gully washer. In fact, a careful analysis indicates it has peaked. A previous pause in warming near Ecuador occurred starting mid August, attributable to the Upwelling Phase of the Kelvin Wave Cycle, but ended on 9/20. The subsurface configuration suggested there were 2.5+ months of warm water in the reservoir (till Dec 15) and some of that water is extremely warm (7 degs above normal). And now Kelvin Wave #4 is developing, expected to extend the life of the reservoir. The peak of Kelvin Wave #3 was forecast to occur roughly on 10/4. We revised it a few times since then, but looking back we've determined it was correct if not a little late (more below). But another equally strong WWB occurred peaking in 10/10 resulting in Kelvin Wave #4, which should peak 2.5 months later, or near 12/25 (nice Christmas present) and advecting west a month after that into Nino3.4 on 1/25. Typical of the character of this El Nino event, it is maddeningly slow and under whelming if viewed on a daily basis. But the overall impact, is marked and historically strong. And with the current WWB/Kelvin Wave in development, a more aggressive face of this El Nino is now appearing.

Surface Water Temps: The more warm water in the equatorial East Pacific means more storm production in the North Pacific during winter months (roughly speaking). Cold water in that area has a dampening effect. Regardless of what the atmospheric models and surface winds suggest, actual water temperatures are a ground-truth indicator of what is occurring in the ocean. All data is from blended infrared and microwave sensors. Satellite Imagery
Low-res: (11/19) Overall the picture remains solid but is not getting any more defined near the South America coast. If anything over the past 2 weeks, warm temps are retracting from Peru and Ecuador and advecting west. But a solid increase in volume/concentration of warm water is flowing into the Nino3.4 area and is very impressive in it's concentration there. The warm water signal covers the entire equatorial Pacific from the dateline eastward with embedded pulses of warmer water from the Galapagos west. The overall signature is the strongest of any point so far this year and of any time since mid-July 1997. Compared to '97, 2015 anomalies are warmer in the Nino3.4 region, but have less concentration and coverage in Nino1.2. Coverage south of the equator is not growing any down the Peruvian coast, and cannot complete with '97 in that regard, but is still very solid. Along the West African Coast, cool water is all but gone, being r.cgiaced by neutral temp water. This is not a worry as the same thing happened during the '97 event. Very warm water continues off the US West Coast but is not as defined as weeks past. Still very warm water extends west the whole way to Japan but unrelated to this years El Nino, attributable to the building warm phase of the PDO. Cool water has lost coverage over North Australia, and has lost concentration and coverage if not completely closed off. This is atypical of a strong El Nino. Warming water continues near Madagascar suggestive of a building Indian Ocean Dipole. Hi-res Nino1.2: Per the latest image (11/18) temps are rebuilding with +2.25 anomalies from the Galapagos to Ecuador with decent width, but not impressive. still, they have rebuilt significantly from 11/17, when they were almost completely gone. This continues to indicate the Kelvin Wave eruption area is westward di.cgiaced, with occasional pockets of warmer water sneaking in, but not steadily. Warming in this area peaked on 7/14 then crashed and has been trying to rebuild ever since. Given its been 4.0 months, and warming has not redeveloped, di.cgiacement is the operative e.cgianation. Galapagos Virtual Station: (11/18) Consistent with satellite imagery above, anomalies are rebuilding here, up to +3.85 rebounding from +3.4 degs on 11/17. Anomalies were steady between 10/2-10/22, running between +3.4-3.8 degree above normal, but then moved into the +4.0-4.3 range starting 10/23 and held to 11/14, then fell but are now rebuilding. For the most part this data is irrelevant since the main Kelvin Wave Eruption Area is focused west of the Galapagos. Hi-res 7 day Trend (11/18): Warming is occurring between Ecuador to the Galapagos and just west of the Galapagos in 2 small pockets. Strong warming is occurring from 100W-130W, and moderate warming near 155W.Hi-res NINO 3.4:(11/18) The latest image has finally started to back off slightly, but is still incredibly impressive. The second pulse of Kelvin Wave #3 has likely peaked out. Girth of the area holds steady but the core of +4 degs water embedded from 100W to 160W are no longer continuous, but still cover a huge portion of the area. This remains unbelievable on a historical level and still breaks records set in the '97 El Nino. Temps between 160W-180W continue surging west with a build area of +4 deg range at 158W (beating peak levels from 9/19). This warm pool is advection west of warm water resulting from eruption of Kelvin Waves #1, #2 and #3, though mostly attributable to #3. Hi-res Overview: (11/18) The El Nino signal is unmistakable and the strongest since 1997, and stronger than anything in the satellite age prior to that. It even beats '97 in the Nino3.4 region. The main focus continues to be the new eruptions ports that developed starting 10/28 and continue today. The intensity of warm anomalies in the eruption site west of the Galapagos is not as intense as the peak at 9/19, but is covering a huge area. As of 11/18 there is a continuous string of +4 deg anomalies from 100W to 142W on the backed off view, not just individual vent ports. The mid-zoomed image depicts the warmth building in coverage with a continuous stream of +4 deg anomalies from 100-142W with +5 deg anomalies at 102W 110W and 122W. This is off the charts impressive and likely the peak of our warm footprint. And this warm water is advected west. Kelvin Wave #3 peaked on 9/19 with mult.cgie pockets of +5 degs anomalies occurring. The number and intensity of those vent ports faded, then redeveloped and increased significantly starting 10/28 and have likely peaked as of 11/18. We can't stress enough the importance of this upgrade and the effect this will have a few weeks out as it advects west into Nino 3.4 proper. Still, we are saying Kelvin Wave #3 peaked on 9/19 (we estimated 10/4). Those waters advected west, with peak warming supposedly occur in Nino3.4 one month later, or 10/19. But with the new vent ports developing 10/28, yet more warm water is tracking into Nino3.4. And Kevin Wave #4 is still to erupt. Looking forward to seeing the Nino3.4 monthly data for November when it posts.

Updated! Images built using 2 data sets - Monthly OISSTv.2 (left) & ERSSTv4 (right) This years data valid through October.Left image suggests 2015 is already the third strongest El Nino in recorded history (beat only by '82 and '97). The right image suggests it's the 4th strongest.
In both images this years event is either the 2nd or 3rd strongest for this time of year, a bit of downgrade from last month when it was in the top 2.
Requisite Disclaimer - Current performance is no indication of future performance.
(Click to enlarge)

Kelvin Wave #3 Eruption Evolution(click to enlarge)

Other SourcesTAO Data: +1.0 anomalies are in control over the entire equatorial East Pacific, the warmest in years, advecting west from the Galapagos covering the entire area west to the dateline and beyond (expanding west to 165E). We're monitoring the +0.0 anomaly line on the equator to see if it's moving east. Today its off the charts but was formally at 140E (steady and well west). +1.5 deg anomalies are building to the west reaching unbroken to 172E. There is also a solid area of +2.0-2.5 deg anomalies extending from the Galapagos to 180W but the failure of some buoys makes any additional analysis suspect. A pocket of +3.0 deg anomalies is building from 109W-135W with +3.5 anomalies at 125W (Kelvin Wave #3 vent port). Overall the warm water signature is steady and moving west and impressive. Nino1.2 Daily CDAS Index Temps: (11/19) Temps are falling more at +1.708, down from +2.106 (11/5), down form +2.422 on 11/1. Previously temps peaked for 5 days at +2.581 near 10/8 and previously spiked at +3.0 degs on 7/3, faded, then spiked again on 7/13 at +3.0 degs and yet again at +3.0 degs on 7/22. Nino 3.4 Daily CDAS Index Temps: Temps have peaked out at +3.041 (12z 11/19) up from the previous all time high of +3.028 degs (12Z 11/17), up from + 2.986 as of (12Z 11/15) Nov 15. Overall temps have not been below +2.0 degs since 8/21. Very Impressive. This continues the upward trend with previous peaks at +2.780 (12z Nov 12) up from +2.704 (11/5 12Z). And more previous peaks for this event were: +2.512 (10/24 06z) besting the previous record of +2.468 (10/20), up from +1.824 on 10/8, and beating the previous peak of +2.44 on 10/3. The thought is Nino 3.4 temps are about peaked out now (until Kelvin Wave #4 starts to erupt and advect west). Previously temps were up from +2.037 on 10/1 and +2.077 on 9/17. The previous all time peak for this event was +2.24 degs on 8/23 (one day). That was crushed on 10/3 at +2.44, and now bested on 10/20 at +2.4678. By any standard we are at a Strong El Nino levels. We expect these temps to continue upward for the foreseeable future.Nino3.0 CDAS Index Temps: The '97 El Nino peaked in this region at 3.6-3.7 degs mid-Nov to mid-Dec (OISSTv2). That is the goal. Today's values are +2.957. So we have some distance to go to be comparable to '97. Nino3.4 Weekly Temps (OISSTv2 - 1981-2010 base period - centered in Jan 3 1990): On 11/11 temps in Nino3 and 3.4 were both +3.0 degs. On 11/4 they were both +2.8. In '97 (11/26) peak temps in Nino3.4 reached +2.8. So we have beat that mark. But Nino3 temps in '97 reached +3.6-3.7 degs. We still have +0.6 degs to go. Insert Subsurface/Surface image here This years event is westward di.cgiaced somewhat like the '82/83 super El Nino event, but not as strongly so. The main evidence for this is the continued eruption of Kelvin Wave #3 west of the Galapagos with weakened warming east of there. This suggests the Walker circulation is not di.cgiaced as far east as in '97 but more like '82/83. Best analysis from upper level charts suggests it's core is at 110W. At this time we're unsure what the effects on rainfall would be. Total rainfall in San Francisco in '82/83 was 38.17" (+16.38") versus 47.22" in '97/98 (+25.43"). The long term average is 21.79". In LA in '82/83 it was 31.28" (+16.47) versus 31.01" in '97 (+16.2"). Long term average 14.81". Regardless, both events were well above average. This also suggests the core of storm production will be north of the most warming. So rather than the Eastern to Central Gulf of Alaska being the focus, it might be more in the Western Gulf. This is actually a good thing relative to California by perhaps giving resulting swells more room to groom themselves before hitting the coast. This might bode not so well for Hawaii, with large stormy conditions the result. Of course, this is just speculation at this time.

SST Anomalies on 9/14/2015 and what is driving them from below(Click to enlarge)

New! (11/18) Given the westward di.cgiacement in this years El Nino, we are interested in the relative effect on the jetstream as compared to previous strong ENSO events. That's is, how does one compare eastward versus westward di.cgiaced El Nino events. This years El Nino has relatively weak Nino1.2 anomalies compared to '82 and '97, but much warmer in Nino4. Do Nino3.4 temps accurately take that difference into account? We decided to find out. First we made an assumption: It is the total volume of warm water in the equatorial East Pacific, not just in Nino3.4 that defines the magnitude of the resulting El Nino atmospheric response. Whether that water is eastward or westward di.cgiaced, it makes no difference, as long as one can measure the total heating footprint, the bulk atmospheric response should be the same, just the center of core storm production would be either more east or west di.cgiaced.Next we needed to determine how to measure total heating footprint. There is a good historical record for anomalies in Nino1.2 (spanning 10 degrees longitude - 80W-90W), Nino3 (spanning 60 degrees - 90W-150W) and Nino4 (50 degrees - 150W to 150E). If one performs a weighted average of the SST anomalies for the 3 zones, a composite anomaly can be obtained. So we did that for recent strong El Nino events. The results indicate a pattern very similar to si.cgie Nino3.4 analysis, that this years event is in the top 2 for this time of year and the top 3 of all time (discounting the more historically correct 'centered' data). Here's the data:

Note: ERSSTv4 'centered' data is not available for Nino1, 3 and 4 regions, only Nino3.4.

Pacific Counter Current: As of 11/6 the current was moderate to strong from the west and solid but all north of the equator. The current is pushing modestly west to east mostly north of the equator from 125E to 120W unbroken. There was 1 pockets of east current at 90W but tiny in coverage. Anomaly wise - modest west anomalies were spread mostly north of the equator over the West Pacific, with a strong pocket north of the equator from 165E to 150W. Others were scattered pockets of west anomalies on the equator too. There were no pocket of east anomalies indicated. This is reasonably impressive as long as one does not compare it to '97, because if you do, there is no comparison. In '97 the current was raging east from 120E to 120W on and north of the equator with massive anomalies over the same if not larger area.

SST Anomaly projectionsCFSv2 model - PDF Corrected: This data has been upgraded again. The run on 11/19 for the Nino 3.4 region depicts peak temp occurring now at +2.8 degrees. A quick crash is to occur thereafter with temp down to +1.85 degs by Jan 1. Uncorrected Data has upgraded depicting peak temps to +2.75 degs now and holding into Dec7, then steady if not slowly backing off falling from +2.45 degs Jan 1. That makes sense for November, but makes no account for Kelvin Wave #4 what is expected to arrive around Christmas and then advect into Nino3.4 in late Jan 2016. IRI ConsensusPlume: The mid-Nov Plume has upgraded again, suggesting peak temps between +2.4 degs (Statistical models), +2.6 degs (Dynamic) with the CPC consensus at +2.5 occurring during Dec. The mid-July consensus was spread between +1.5-2.0 degs, the mid-Aug between +2.0-2.5 degs and the mid-Sept between +2.1-2.5 degs. See chart here - link.If one is to make a direct comparison of the 2015 event to '97 at this time of year based on the areal coverage of water temps, there is now a valid comparison. '97 imagery had all the warmth crammed up along Ecuador. This years event is focused west of there, with more warmth in Nino4 than in '97 (see analysis above).

Atmospheric Co.cgiing Index's (lagging indicators rather than driving oceanic change):Daily Southern Oscillation Index (11/19): Was falling from -0.80. Of note: The 97 El Nino had daily values at -40 to -50 in early Nov with one spurt to -76 Jan 30-31st. A peak reading so far in this 2015 event was -49.70/-46.60 on Oct 3 & 4 and then -42.20 on 10/14. 30 Day Average: Was rising from -7.75. The peak low was recorded on 10/9 at -22.72, beating the previous peak low of -20.95 on 8/21, with the previous lowest at -20.49 on 7/18/15. This is exactly where we want to be (at -20 or lower). 90 Day Average: Was rising at -14.88. A record low of -19.28 occurred on 10/16 and was matched on 10/20. The previous record low was -18.56 on 9/16. This is the critical threshold we've been anticipating (values -18 or lower), providing yet more evidence of strong atmospheric co.cgiing. We want to see it hold there, and that goal is looking more possible. It has been at or below -10.0 since early July and -15.0 since 9/4 and on a steady fall ever since. The 90 day SOI bottomed out at a low reading on 8/5 at -14.17, then beat it on 9/2 at -15.23, beating that on 9/16 at -18.56 and now -19.28 on 10/16. Trend (looking for negative SOI numbers, indicative of the Active Phase of the MJO or El Nino): The near term trend based on the daily average was indicative of a fading El Nino base state being driving by the Inactive Phase of the MJO. The longer term pattern was indicative of a fading El Nino base state. SOI Trend - Darwin (looking for high pressure here): Weak low pressure was over Southeast Aust on 11/19 and forecast holding through Thurs (11/26). It looks like the Active Phase of the MJO in the Indian Ocean is to continue having a negative impact on El Nino. SOI trend - Tahiti (looking for low pressure here): On 11/19 weak high pressure was southeast of Tahiti and forecast to build through Thurs (11/26) driven by the Inactive Phase of the MJO. This will keep the SOI a bit higher than what it has been of late. If a Super El Nino is in development one would want to see continuous local lows near or over Tahiti. We're not seeing that. SOI 1 week Forecast:The net result is to be a trend of SOI values moving to the positive range. The Inactive Phase of the MJO is having significant impact. SOI Analysis: During El Nino, the SOI functions as a measure of how well the ocean and atmosphere are co.cgied. Current numbers suggest good co.cgiing though not great, but getting better footing slowly but steadily (notice the 90 day average trend). This pattern is to only change for the better as the El Nino base state builds as we move into Fall. A consistent 90 day average of -18 is our target, indicative of a strong El Nino. Southern Hemi Booster Index (SHBI) Analysis (which is theorized to supercharge a developing El Nino): Per the past 5 day 850 mbs anomaly charts there was no evidence of a south flow in.cgiay. Per the GFS model no real south flow is projected through Thurs (11/27). It is high pressure over Southeast Australia that sets up the required southerly surface flow in the Tasman Sea. South and southeast wind anomalies have been in this region off and on for weeks now (previous run 7/29-8/10, this run 8/13-8/18), then returning consistently 9/18 through 10/25, then fading. The SHBI appears to be offering no support for this years El Nino development at this time. ESPI (like SOI but based on satellite confirmed cloud cover): (11/19) today's value continued falling at +0.74, down from +0.97 (11/15). This is the lowest we've seen it since we started following it in July and has been trending slightly down driven by the Inactive MJO. The most recent high value was +2.40 on Sat (10/17). It had been holding in the +1.95-2.20 range for weeks (thru 10/13) with only minor fluctuation. The ESPI was steady in the +2.5 range through 8/10, then began falling, to +2.42 on 8/18 and bottoming out at +1.78 on 8/26. It started rebuilding on 8/29 at +1.89 holding at +1.87 on 9/18 and up to +2.2 on 9/24 reaching +2.3 on 9/26, then down to 2.02 on 9/29. Historically the peak of the '82 El Nino was +2.2 and the '97 event +2.85. This suggests the '15 El Nino is reasonably well co.cgied with the atmosphere, more so than some of the other indices indicate. Monthly ESPI values are as follows: July 3.76, Aug 2.34, Sept 2.1, Oct 2.3. '97 had two peak values at +2.99 in Aug and +3.06 in Sept. 2015 had +3.7 in July followed by +2.33 and +2.20 in Aug and Sept and 2.3 in Oct. to complete with '97. Multivariate ENSO Index (MEI) (Oct) The current ranking is down some, falling to +2.23 (Oct), down from it's peak of +2.53 in Sept, and from +2.37 in Aug. still this MEI value has the 2015 event as the second strongest El Nino ever for this time of year, and the third strongest ever. So we continue mid-way between the '82 and '97 events, in strong El Nino territory presumably moving towards the Super El Nino range. The top 5 events since 1950 in order are: '97, '82, '91, '86, and '72 with '97 and '82 classified as 'Super El Nino's' because they reached 3 standard deviations (SD) above normal. '91 and '86 were at about 2.2 and 2.1 respectively with '72 peaking at 1.8 SD's above the norm. We've already beat all those. Suffice it to say we are somewhere between '82 and '97 in term of of atmospheric co.cgiing per this index. Most impressive. North Pacific Jetstream (11/19) Detailed analysis is in the NPac Short Term Forecast above. In short, the jet started the Fall transition influenced by El Nino, looking decent but not exceptional. But then the Inactive Phase of the MJO took over and has had a dampening effect and will continue to do so till the Inactive Phase is over.

Comparing the 2015 El Nino to '82 and '97
(Click to enlarge)

Conclusion (Updated 11/17): WWB #3 peaked on July 4, with the resulting Kelvin Wave peaking on Sept 19 west of the Galapagos, or a roughly 2.5 month travel time. Likewise those warm waters advected into Nino3.4, peaking about one month later, or 10/19. Peak atmospheric influence should occur approximately 2 months later or 12/20. Then WWB #4 developed of near equal strength, peaking on 10/15, which resulted in formation of Kelvin Wave #4. Using the same te.cgiate, peak eruption of Kelvin Wave #4 is expected on 12/30/2015 (westward di.cgiaced), and advecting into Nino3.4 and peaking roughly 1/30/2016 with peak atmospheric influence on approx 3/30/2016. This suggests peak atmospheric perturbation will occur in the window from 12/2/2015-4/2/2016, or well di.cgiaced later in the Winter as compared to the '97/98 event, and somewhat like the '82/83 event. The Inactive Phase of the MJO took control 10/31, and is expected to usher in the Upwelling Phase of the Kelvin wave Cycle starting 1/31/16. The resultant slackening of peak water temps won't reach Nino3.4 till 3/1, and won't hit the atmosphere till 5/1. By then, the effective lifecycle of El Nino for the Winter of 2015-2016 will be over. And any westerly anomalies projected for the KWGA in the Dec-Jan 2016 timeframe will contribute nothing to Kelvin Wave production and jetstream a.cgiification just due to the time it will take for a resulting Kelvin Wave to migrate east. But those anomalies could help the atmosphere like the Active Phase of the MJO does, fueling jetstream energy. That is the primary contribution of westerly anomalies from here forward.

In terms of comparative strength based on Nino3.4 temps, 2015 is in the same ballpark based on OISSTv2 weekly data. Based on ERSSTv4 data (a more conservative data source) '97 peaked at +2.32 degs with 4 months of +2.0 degs anomalies and '82 at +2.21 degs with 2 months temps greater than +2.0 degs. 2015 is looking to produce a +2.1 degree one month average based on very rough data today, with a huge reservoir of anomalies still venting to the surface and Kevin Wave #4 still migrating east. But, coverage of warmer than normal water and it's affect on the atmosphere is not limited to just the Nino3.4 area. Nino3 and Nino1.2.cgiay a role. It's is the total areal coverage of the warm water footprint that defines the impact on the atmosphere. Temps in Nino3 in this years event are at +3.0 degs, but peaked at +3.7 degs in '97. Conversely temps in Nino 4 in this years event beats temps in '97. All graphed out, one gets the sense that '97 and 2015 are very different events, but similar in total atmospheric effect.

Another question is: How much (if any) cooling will occur in Nino3.4 between the downslide up of Kevin Wave #3 and the ramp-up and peak of Kelvin Wave #4? Based on current data, Kelvin Wave #3 has surprisingly reinvigorated itself in late Oct/Nov and exceeded its earlier peak in Sept. The longer it holds on, the greater the likelihood that not dip in temps will develop before Kevin Wave #4 erupts. Assuming steady state anomalies in Nino3.4 (not falling below +2.0 degs during that window), there could be 4 months of +2.0 anomalies in Nino3.4 (with higher peaks), providing a strong and long su.cgiy of energy to fuel jetstream enhancement and similar to '97 and besting '82. It's not just magnitude of the peak temps that make a difference atmospherically, but also the duration of those anomalies. The longer and stronger the anomalies, the greater the atmospheric response. At this time the expected atmospheric affects should be significant, though di.cgiaced somewhat later in the season.

Casa Noble Tequila If you are looking for an exquisite experience in fine tequila tasting, one we highly recommend, try Case Noble. Consistently rated the best tequila when compared to any other. Available at BevMo (in California). Read more here: http://www.casanoble.com/

Time Zone Converter By popular demand we've built and easy to use time convert that transposes GMT time to whatever time zone you are located. It's ion left hand column on every page on the site near the link to the swell calculator.

Stormsurf Google Gadget- Want Stormsurf content on your Google Homepage? It's si.cgie and free. If you have Google set as your default Internet E.cgiorer Homepage, just click the link below and a buoy forecast will be added to your Google homepage. Defaults to Half Moon Bay CA. If you want to select a different location, just click on the word 'edit', and a list of alternate available locations appears. Pick the one of your choice. Content updates 4 times daily. A great way to see what waves are coming your way!http://www.google.com/ig/add?moduleurl=http://www.stormsurf.com/gadget/stormsurf .xml